Derby Contender Graded Stakes Earnings

Updated: 04/30/2002

Entries to the Kentucky Derby are restricted to only 20 starters with preference by the amount of graded stakes earnings. Since the race is more wide open this year than usual, a full field is expected so earnings are more important than ever. Below is a list of possible starters in order of earnings with the amount listed (as of 4/20/02). I have flagged horses not likely to enter the Derby, but some good contenders, like Sunday Break, may not get in due to lack of earnings.

The only graded stake left for the contenders before the Derby now is the Derby Trial. Drysdale said yesterday that he is going to run Flying Dash there and send him on to the Derby if he wins. The winner's share of the $100,000 purse for the race would be just enough to get him into the top 20, but the last time a Derby winner came out of the Trial was 1958!

Derby Poll

Will Sunday Break get in the Derby or be shut out due to lack of graded stakes earnings?

Will get in
Will get shut out
Too early to tell

Essence of Dubai - $1,518,000

Harlan's Holiday - $1,286,064

Johannesburg - $1,006,489

Came Home - $844,440

Officer - $614,810

Buddha - $450,000

Booklet - $406,500

Medaglia d'Oro - $300,000

Perfect Drift - $300,000

Private Emblem - $300,000

War Emblem - $300,000

Saarland - $235,000

Blue Burner - $234,500

Proud Citizen - $229,317

Mayakovsky - $205,000

Easyfromthegitgo - $202,965

Easy Grades - $190,000

Castle Gandolfo - $130,035

Request For Parole - $129,672

Lusty Latin - $120,000

It'sallinthechase - $117,000

Ocean Sound - $107,000

Ethan Man - $100,939

Azillion - $100,000

Wild Horses - $100,000

Windward Passage - $100,000

U S S Tinosa - $83,750

Sunday Break - $82,500

Crimson Hero - $72,930

Flying Dash - $57,370

Straight Gin - $52,500

Tracemark - $26,444

American Style - $18,233

With this many horses still under consideration, we will have to keep a close watch on who drops out and who decides definitely to go, especially after the Lexington Stakes this weekend. We may not have a good idea who will actually get in the race until the day entries are drawn!